An interview of England batsman Joe Root after he scored an unbeaten 102 to put his team on top against Sri Lanka on the first day of the opening Test match against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, on Thursday.

Joe Root’s second hundred in as many Lord’s Tests was the cornerstone of England’s recovery on the first day of their series opener with Sri Lanka. Root’s 102 not out helped take England to 344 for five at stumps on the first day of the first Test after they’d been struggling at 74 for three when the 23-year-old Yorkshireman walked out to bat, AFP reported.

Root, who made a Test-best 180 against Australia at Lord’s last year, was well supported by Matt Prior (76 not out) in a so-far unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 135. However, recalled wicketkeeper Prior was fortunate not be out for a second-ball duck before completing just his second 50 in 21 Test innings.

Moeen Ali (48), one of three debutants in a new-look England side following their 5-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia, had previously helped Root steady the ship during a fifth-wicket stand of 89. “It’s a very slow wicket and hard to time when the ball goes softer,” Root told Sky Sports.

First Published on June 13, 2014 4:48 PM ISTLast updated on June 13, 2014 4:48 PM IST